No gratitude here!

I still remember vividly, during my childhood - I just had two simple endeavors. Either to be what my parents wanted me to be – a doctor. Or to be what thought I will be in love with - a teacher. Today I am neither of these.

The reason for not going on the path to medicine had its own reason. And the aim to be a teacher was done away, I don’t know why. A derelict plan it remains.

During my years as a sprat, I loved the idea of reading out aloud in a class full of dolls, writing on the chalkboard, signing the li’l notes, caning for fighting…and what not! I sorely miss those days, when I dreamt of moving ahead and taking classes for children, and not elfin dolls and teddies.

 

As I came to pass high school, I remember one of my friends telling me, “I am never ever even going to think about being a teacher.” Upon being asked why, came the rapid reply “Bohot gaalian khane ko milti hai!!” (You get to face a lot of abuse from the children, maybe not face to face, but yes definitely behind your back).

If it could be true six years back, the conditions have only become worse now. The appalling act by a 9th grade student in Chennai stabbing his teacher to death comes as shock to the entire nation.

 

We look forward to someone to put the blame on – the student, the rich parents of his, the school or the teacher who did nothing but performed her duty.

And true to the fact, now the takers for such a lowly paid and impudent (Yes, very much) job will definitely abate.

The perks associated with this job aren’t vey great, neither is the pay! But most of the people who opt for it do it because of their proclivity towards children. It isn’t a small task to do such a job, and especially if the teacher is dedicated in his/her efforts, their efforts go unacknowledged. It isn’t no sweat to look after 25-30 students in a class, teach them, make sure they have understood, to be strict when needed, correct their mistakes, and in the end to bear the brunt of the children as well as the parents.

Unlike other professions, teaching invariably requires oodles of patience, and there is no selfishness attached. Or at least there is some selflessness attached. Like parenting, teachers also play a major role in moulding a child’s future.

There are plenty of things my teachers have taught in life. Not all the teachers have had the same impact, but all have had some and some have had verily a much bigger impact.

Where I stand today, it is just not because of the school I went to, or the way my parents have brought me up, but also because of what I have learnt from my teachers back at school. I’m not talking about Math equations, or chemical equations or Physics laws. Even the university professors fail to gain a footing over what school teachers teach you. Every teacher is human, and does instill values in a child.

The ghastly murder of a teacher who took her job as her passion, has taken away all faith in people who think about opting for teaching as a profession. It has become a job which barely has any respect attached with it these days, and PTMs being the days when the teacher has to face the ire of parents for “not explaining notes clearly, or being fast, or being strict…”

I just have one question. Where is gratitude in this era??

Long gone are the days when a Guru was hallowed. Gone are the days when a teacher or a Guru was considered on an equal footing as parents. No matter how strict a teacher used to be, there was no rancor in the student’s heart. On being scolded in front of a class, feeling bad was normal, nowadays it has been adumbrated by the feeling of humiliation. How many students to be specific – middle school students have committed suicide in the past one year itself?

What is to be ashamed of if your teacher scolds you? Childhood blossoms with innocence, ego breeds only with age. But the scene today is dismal. They grow up as brats pampered by their parents and with their whims and fancies catered to. How can brats who hail from families who have only pampered them, grow up to be individuals in such a world? They need sagacity to live life up and it is a requisite to use their gumption to survive. Affluent grooming and an ostentatious lifestyle may just make you comfortable in your tiny little gory hole. But life doesn’t pass that way; it has always been and will always be a rat race. And only the fittest survive.

Fitness comes not only from physical strength. Mental strength is equally important to garner verve to live life. And proper grooming of one as a child gives that! Parents are the ideal choices for their children; they have to prove to be the best role models ever. Proper upbringing of children plays a vital role of how a child behaves when (s)he is not under her/his parents’ nose.

Parentship is no cakewalk either, but a balance between love and pampering had to be maintained. Loving a child, and never saying a NO to his/ her fancies does not really do much good to his/her growth. It only hampers it in a way and is perilous for the society too. History stands proof

An ounce of optimism..!!

Back at home, I always happen to hear these lines from my sister:

“Li’l bird in the sky,

Dropping shit into your eye,

You don’t worry, you don’t cry,

Just thank God that cows don’t fly.”

Cute, aint it? Or personally I feel so :)

Every time I feel there is something bothering me and taking away a major part of my attention (undeservingly, though), I find these lines really buoyant to keep myself from fretting over the smaller things in life. I strongly believe that everything in life is a part of a Higher plan, and that everything that happens has a reason to it. Life has its own set of ups and downs, for every scorching summer is followed by the monsoon and the winter comes with a promise that spring would follow soon.

Life is beautiful, and happens just once. All of us have many promises to keep and a lot of dreams to fulfill, but the biggest promise to keep is a promise to be happy, and to keep others happy. As it goes, life comes as a circle, whatever you give comes back with a full swing! So, don’t worry about things which went wrong in the past, for better things await you in future. Being optimistic helps us move the petty things out of our sight and lets the bigger picture come into our view. For, we all live with the hope that life is always changing, nothing is permanent, not even the tough times. An optimist might not win the race, but he surely has a happier journey.

I truly believe that life never gives you something you can’t handle. If it is good, it’s wonderful…if it’s bad, call it experience :). Both help you grow through life, and are essential. So, next time you see yourself passing through a dark tunnel, don’t close your eyes, just move ahead, for you’ll definitely find light at the end of the tunnel.

All is well :)

Mother…working MAGIK!              
20 years back: whooo…what is this all around me, I see people moving and smiling, different shades of white teeth showing up at a distance, I’m terrified, and here I go, crying and dirtying the place. I see a lady; she picks me up, smiles and clothes me lovingly. I feel better and go to sleep.

17 years back: wow!! It’s my birthday party as my parents say it is. I see a large cake with Mickey mouse’s face. I have a lot of gifts around me. Some dolls, a few teddies, new clothes, and a train set. :) I was playing hide and seek with Ayan and Devika, when there is a power cut. I see a petite monster moving towards me making a bad noise….MAMMAAA!!!! And she comes and lifts Ayan’s mask… I hate him. She clutches me in her warm hands; I like the feeling when she is around me.

10 years back: My friends and I plan for a movie. This is the first time I will be going without my parents. I ask her for permission. She seems disgruntled with our plan, but I am not taking a NO!! They are my friends after all. I am ready for a fight; she sees I am ready to burst into tears after all the fighting. Finally I have her assent. Wohoo!

6 years back: What on earth does she want? It was just a late night movie and a sleepover. Why can’t people take things the way they are. She is incessantly blowing it out of proportion. I am a grown up now. I can live my life my way!! When will she understand!!?

5 years back: I have my board exams in less than a month. Staying awake till 2 a.m. and beyond that’s the routine. But hey, she’s there awake, waiting to give me a cup of coffee whenever I need it. I think she’s doing it overly now, I mean, come on!! But anyway!

4 years back: I’m in at a new place. Whew!! Miss my school and friends, well yup parents too… But I like it here, I am a free bird!! But wait, am I missing something..?

NO, of course not! It’s a new world here :)
 

Everything in life can’t make one happy, not everything around you can be perfect. For each one us, God is there to take care of us each point.

He is somewhere there sitting on a golden throne up there. Isn’t that what we think!?

Right from our childhood, we’ve been shown several idols, saying that God resides in those. We learn to revere them. As we grow up, we hear stories about people going away to find peace, to pursue the path to God. We hear about antagonists having their own theories and headstrong atheists standing firm on their beliefs. We look around visit temples, gratified about God being invisible, yet taking care of us.

And there are points we fail to reckon that God does exist. I realize God has always been taking care, but in the form of a mother. He is not sitting up there, he is there beside us.

He is definitely taking care, but he is not invisible - that’s the reason of a mother being around. There is always something to what she says, it might not be the best elucidation, can seem too trifling a reason, an inane point, but she is immensely in love with you. And God does miracles; it’s her love which is miraculous. It cannot really be able to move mountains, but can really help you from breaking down in unfavorable moments. Her support can be the greatest solace. It’s healing…her comfort can heal hearts and mend shattered lives. Her love is assuring; even if the entire world leaves you, she’ll always be there – to love you, to comfort you, to make you smile, to have faith and look at life with a clearer vision. As I said, God sees it all…nothing escapes God’s eyes; the same power lies in a Mother…nothing about her child escapes her eye.

God loves us all, that is the reason of a Mother being so special. She is the most powerful and beautiful creation of God. She not only gives birth to a child, but stands with it right from the time it is a toddler,  teaching it to walk, to eat, to speak, and through the time when we all feel we are all grownups to live our lives our way, she teaches us how to live. It is rightly said, God created Mothers when he realized he couldn’t be present everywhere. Mothers are mothers and that’s why are so special. No matter how doting a mother is, she might as well not be given the same love in return. Nor she does go demanding or searching for an iota of love in return. She is the embodiment of true love and selfless care; Mothers deserve way more respect than what they get. This is just to make them feel special :)

Luv you Mother!!

Life, as I see it

A few months left and then I finish my graduation. Wow! I look back and keep wondering how time flies!! I still remember the petite, naughty, quiet li’l child in me playing with her kitchen set and her set of dolls….that was around 16-17 years ago. Then, I remember the studious girl burning the midnight oil through the unit tests and final exams in middle school. And then comes the high school interlude ….friends, parties, new responsibilities, tourneys, hangouts, sleepovers, discussions among buds, combined studies and the doleful thought about leaving school soon. And finally came the not-so-awaited-but-still-I’m –proud-about-it day- the Graduation Day in school or rather our formal farewell. School over, prep leave for exams and all competitive exams were on. Exams came and went, results elated parents. I was exultant, though I was quite unsure as to where I would be going. Memories make a lifetime, as I have heard, and memories, good or bad make life tremendous. School gave me innumerable memories….days which I loved back then and I still continue to treasure those sweet days captured in my memories.
Counselling sessions over. Finally, zeroed in at coming over to this place to pursue my Bachelors in Tech. In the beginning it was a bit difficult adjusting to this place. But there was something in this place which bound me to itself. From being a first year to a final year. Friends make life easier and they seriously do. I realized after being here. Being away from home, adjusting with new people, coping with studies, extra curriculars, cribbing about college rules, being lazy about having a clean room, appreciating the mess and canteen food, late night movies, sleeping in classes….friends add a spice to all of it. Finally I’m about to step away from all of this...I’m glad I have memories. Mostly good, some bad...Nay, not bad...a bit harsh- after all I have learnt to believe that everything in life happens for a reason.
Everything that’s bad or not-so-good has something good coming after it. Trust me, nothing in life is permanent. If happiness is elusive, even the bad moments do not stay long. The only thing about life is that it’s unpredictable. You might be happy for some time, while after those moments something might happen which fill tears in your eyes. They say, happiness is like a butterfly, the more you chase it, the more it eludes you. And it does come, when it’s the most unexpected.
It’s just one life we have, all I believe in is living it to the fullest and giving in your best whatsoever be in front of you. Life’s too short to carry a frown, leave aside the worries and grudges…fly free, live with a light heart. Inspire others, get inspired. Smile.
Life is short but beautiful, so give in the best and the best comes to you. Looking around, I feel there are people with lives messed up to a greater extent, there are people who look as they have everything and nothing but a void exists. I’m thankful, for what I have and when something goes wrong, I’m sure there are better things to happen. Optimism is the key- there just can’t be an unhappy ending, for if it is unhappy, then it just isn’t the ending. But all that’s needed is faith, confidence in oneself, some zeal and a big smile! And you see problems melting away. The power lies within you. It is something that fills you with joy. The power which lets you let go of things which wouldn’t help. And it is this strength which makes you stand tall in the times of adversities and face challenges with valor. Happiness is evasive but not long gone, being happy is our right.
So, when life gives you rocks, u still have a choice –to build a wall around yourself or to build a bridge. Life is waiting for you!! It’s never too late to appreciate its beauty and to be happy! Keep Smiling :)

And she is H O P E !!

I happened to lay my hands over an earlier issue of the Reader’s Digest. The top story covered the horrendous truth shrouding the lives of females in Cambodia. The trafficking of girls, especially minors is fueled by the bad economic condition of the families thriving on the soils of Cambodia. Not only that, Cambodia is the source, transit and destination for human trafficking. Girls are sold at as less as $10 and exploited sexually after being trafficked from the rural areas to the urban regions.

Talking about the flesh trade, every year about a million young girls are forced into the sex slavery on the pretext of giving them jobs. Human trafficking stays as the second largest organized crime in the world, which helps earn the callous souls indulging in this dirty business, a profit of $9-10 billon per year. And the victims of this trade, sad is their plight- subjects to torture, rape, physical abuse, starvations, abortions, life threats, drugs, and what not. Abysmal life. Sad indeed.

Now called Mam with reverence, Somaly Mam was a teen when she was sold into prostitution by a man who posed as her grandpa. She was made to work in a brothel along with many more young girls, and was tortured and used by many men. Initially, she was audacious enough not to go by the orders of the men who “owned her”, but the gruesome torture inflicted upon her by them made her give up. Moreover, she was made to witness the gory death of her closest friend in the brothel. The girl was shot dead in front of Somaly’s eyes.

And then, Mam took a vow. A vow, not to leave the men who changed her and many others’ lives forever. A vow, to help the other hapless souls around the world who are desperate to flee from the darkness of the sex trade.



Mam married Pierre Legros, who then helped Mam to establish a non-profit org-AFESIP. This organization helps the police in tracking and rescuing girls forced into prostitution. Mam foremost helped the police raid the brothel where she was sold and helped the other miserable girls trapped there. AFESIP helps rehabilitate and reconstruct the lives of the girls who were victims of sex slavery. Despite continued threats against her life and her family, Mam continues rescuing girls, providing them care, education and scraping way the dolorous memories of their previous lives. While she dauntlessly carried her mission, her daughter got kidnapped and she got separated from her husband. But, nothing could stop her. She managed to rescue her daughter and still continues to build lives of the girls who’ve bn dumped in the dark brothels. Today, she stands as a recipient of the Glamour Magazine’s Woman of the Year Award and was featured as a CNN Hero. Mam as she says has no fear, not even of death. The horrors of the triste life she lived in the brothel and the innate courage she nurtures, all make her relentlessly follow her mission. She is the hope of the numerous small girls and teens, who remain shadowed by the murky clouds of the dismal flesh trade. And, she is that ray of hope which would show them the light at the end of the tunnel. The light which would remove the darkness of the silence which blares in their heart. The light which would fill their lives with the colors of joy, care, smiles and freedom.

2012!!!!

..is it really THE END?!?


Experts around the world do predict that the earth will witness its "the END" in 2012. The prediction remains obscure, but they say that the reason could be humans themselves( which is quite apparent) or any natural phenomenon. These are not reasons enough. Firstly, the Bible predicts the end of the world soon enuf . Some ppl also presage the occurrence of sunstorms and also, there might be an atom smasher to bowl us all to death. Not only all these, the Yellowstone volcano which erupts once in 650,000 years, is predicted to erupt, plunging us into an era of ice and darkness.


Whatever the reason for the doom be, the root does not lie among nature..it's amongst the humans. YES, indeed.


It's been a long time tht we've been exploiting nature for our needs and our nvr ending greed. It's true that "when the last tree on earth is cut and the last river on earth dries, man will realise tht he cant eat his money". The truth is very much infront of our eyes, but v refuse to see it. The massive killings round the earth portend the risk to every human's life, that too pretty soon. The lives claimed in the Haiti earthquake, or be it the quake in Indonesia, the Dantewada massacre in India, the air crash which claimed 160 lives, increased global warming, the cyclone Laila raking in, extinction of animal species..all foretell the same story. Sooner or later, man will pay the price for his avarice. For long, man used his ability to think and create and also has exploited nature to improve his life, to live a lavish life and to please his senses.
Technology was a boon, its development gave us a way to revamp our life and lifestyle. Moving on and on, we marched towards a life soo full of luxuries and comforts, that v failed to see the discomfort which prevailed in nature. Man mechanised his life, giving birth to robots and newer ways to lead a blithesome life, and he still remains bathed in the comforts of his life, overlooking the harm done to nature. All around the world, most of the species of animals remain berated. Be it penguins which are losing their count or tigers nearing extinction or the whales which are hideously slain. Few years back, alarm bells went ringing, which asked Homo Sapiens to wake up and start caring about Mother Nature. Man posed a deaf ear to it and went on grooming his life, and now years later, the danger level has gone high, high enuf that nature is ready to vent her agony on the inhabitants of this beautiful planet Earth. And the fury of a scorned lady nature can be seen in the frequent disasters like earthquakes or tsunamis or floods. Also, the lapse of justice and massive killings augurise the doomsday. These debacles remind man time and again of the harm he has caused to the nature. But, man still remains chained to slumber, not noticing the albatross flying high in the sky. Friends, for those of us who are sleeping, it's time to wake up and act. Act, as in care for the nature and work towards saving the plant and animal species. It's the time to think about smtn more than ousrselves and to remind ourselves that "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the next best time is NOW!"..

Wake up ppl!!
:)

PeehpULL...!!!!

Man is a social animal.
He is supposed to come alone and go alone but his journey from birth to death, is called life....smthn he is supposed to "share" wid others!Right frm our childhud, we come across so many ppl, whn v wer born, we wer surrounded by ppl, when we first rose to walk and had our first great fall, we wer surrounded by ppl..right from our kindergarten to lower grades to middle school to university, we have a certain set of THE most wonderful ppl with us called chums or mates or buds or FRIENDS!!









They say friends are the family u choose. How true, indeed! We embark on a journey called life knowing nobudy at all, but thru the course of the journey we meet PEOPLE. Some we like, sum we love and the others we loathe. And a bunch of those whom we love are called friends!!

Talkin abt myself, i rlly feel friends are indeed a VERY VERY major and integral part of your life, rather yourself! They know evrything abt you and accept you the way u are. The moments spent with chums are one of the most memorable moments which giv u innumerable memories to cherish later :) Talking abt my buds, i have spent some of the really wonderful, most cherishable, most fun, most embarrasing, mosty happy, most proud, most sentimental, and enjoyed all those emotions when my friends hav been der with me. This is me talkin abt my school life( which indeed was LIFE, at its best) as well as my college life( which i gues wud be another odyssey by the same name as the previous one..) :)) .Well ,what i love abt ma frnz is dat no matter how well or how rudely or how badly i behave wid em, they'd neva expect me to change. They adore me for the person i am. They have borne the happy gurl in me, they have consoled the sad girl as well, hav withstood my anger, they bear my most boorish nature wid a smile and supported me when i get the worst of my mood swings possible( aries nature, AHEM!) and most of all, they NEVER expect me to speak sense ;)). But dats about friends!! Those whom u luv and will be standing by thru thick n thin. But as man is a social animal, he is supposed to come across all kinds of ppl, Yu luve the ppl u seriously like but what abt those who are intolerable for some reason or the other.
AHA! thats the major question!!U come across people of different kinds- cool, dumb, smart, confident, swank, proud, ill-tempered, caring, selfish, loyal, luving, adorable, cute, ill-mannered, cranky, greedy,..and the list goes on and on..but the hypocrisy in people, that too still goes on.

Hypocrites-bigtym hipocrytes, n dealing wid them soo difficult n thats where diplomacy comes into play. Everyone aims to be at the greatest heights in life and people lose their essence, we run behind fame, lucre, jobs, love, lust, etc and see a totally transformed face of our own. People whom we met like five years ago seem to be totally changed humans..people keep up a facade that is so totally against their real nature. People change, they lose their essence and get totally converted to souls they themselves would never hav imagined!!

The race is on, the tracks are set..!

Whose ready to run and reach the final point, the point where u see urself with a brand new face??
WHO is ready to win the race..??